Bath and afternoon tea go together like jam and clotted cream! From historic buildings to contemporary cafes, you don’t have to go far to find afternoon tea in the city.
Whether you want a quick cream tea (scones, jam, and clotted cream), or a full afternoon tea that includes sandwiches and sweet treats too, you’ll easily find them at larger hotels like the Bath Priory, Henrietta House, No 15 Guesthouse, and The Gainsborough.
Head out of the hotels and try one of these 10 best places for afternoon tea in Bath!
Want an earlier start for feasting? Try these bottomless brunches, or take your pooch and check out our list of dog-friendly pubs to enjoy a pint in.
1. Sweet Little Things
Take a break from tradition and enter the very Instagrammable world of Sweet Little Things, a pink and floral paradise dedicated to tasty treats.
Afternoon tea is served from 12-4.30pm every day and includes fresh sandwiches, scones with jam and clotted cream, a selection of cakes, and breakfast tea (or upgrade to a boozy prosecco or gin!).
Gluten-free and vegan versions are also available. It’s located in the middle of city, making it a good pit-stop when shopping.
Booking Information
Address: 6 Lower Borough Walls, Bath, BA1 1UQ
Phone Number: 01225 571580
2. Bath Priory
We had the privilege of exploring The Bath Priory‘s afternoon tea in December 2022, it was a fabulous experience with an impressive selection of teas alongside comfortable seating and flawless staff.
We were warmly welcomed as soon as we entered, and within 20 minutes of being seated we were greeted by five members of staff, all asking if where are okay, what can they do for us and how our afternoon tea was. The customer service was honestly exceptional.
We were seated in the warm, artistic “Drawing Room”, which was covered in 20th Century art and furniture. Lucky for us it was filled with Christmas decorations and a very large tree which was a delight to see.
First we scouted the wide selection of beverages, choosing a wild berry tea which went down a treat. You have the choice of tea, coffee or proseco.
Shortly after we were given our selection of finger sandwiches, cakes and scones, with a side of Mince Pies and savoury tarts. The selection was perfect, and everythinh was fresh and indulding. Our founders personal favourite was the Chicken & Cranberry Sandwiches and the Choux Bun.
It was such a wide selection that we couldn’t eat it all and the team offered to pack it up for us to take home, all before offering to take us for a tour around the hotel and to take a look at the spa.
Overall it was a lovely experience, with friendly, knowledgeable staff, comfortable seating and impressive food. This is one of the best places for afternoon tea in Bath for those wanting to experience a small taste of a 5 start hotel in the city.
Booking Information
Address: The Bath Priory, Weston Road, Bath, BA1 2XT
Phone Number: 01225 331 922
3. The Pump Room Restaurant
When it comes to la-di-da locations, the Pump Room is one of the most historic and elegant establishments to enjoy an afternoon tea in Bath.
Dating back to Georgian times, this fine and fancy social space has hosted the likes of Jane Austen and Charles Dickens.
Served from noon, Monday to Sunday, the indulgent tea includes sumptuous sweet and savoury snacks and is served amongst the grandeur of the Pump Room.
Feeling brave? Try a glass of the sulfurous spring water to ‘take the waters’ that made Bath famous.
Booking Information
Address: The Roman Baths, Stall Street, Bath, BA1 1LZ
Phone Number: 01225 444477
4. Sally Lunn’s
Stay on the tourist trail to visit Sally Lunn’s, one of the oldest houses in Bath (dating back to 1680), and tuck into a Bath bun – you can try half a toasted bun with a cream tea, or choose a savoury topping if jam and cream are not your cup of tea.
It’s a secret recipe but the ‘bun’ is like a brioche, part bread and part cake, and light enough to slather on some cream and jam and still have room for another afternoon tea!
I have been there many of times, and that’s because the food is genuinely superb! Highly advised.
Booking Information
Address: 4 North Parade Passage, Bath, BA1 1NX
Phone Number: 01225 461634
5. The Mad Hatter’s Tea Party
Ready to go down the rabbit hole? Book ahead to have afternoon tea at The Madhatter’s Tea Party, a quirky Alice in Wonderland themed family-run cafe that serves up mountains of sandwiches, cakes, and treats.
If it’s a special occasion you might even get to sit on the ‘throne’ while your subjects serve you piles of freshly made food on dainty Alice-inspired tableware.
It’s certainly one of the best places for Afternoon Tea in Bath for those that want something… different!
Booking Information
Address: 5 Orange Grove, Bath, BA1 1LP
Phone Number: 01225 571314
6. Regency Tea Room
Located in the Jane Austen Centre, this traditional Regency Tea Room is a great one for literary lovers or visitors from out of town as it evokes a Georgian experience as you’d expect.
Serving up small, delicately balanced tiers of treats for ‘Tea with Mr Darcy’, there are also added extras like a tipple or two to get your afternoon popping.
You don’t need to visit the centre to go to the tea room, but if you do you’ll get 10% off your bill!
Booking Information
Address: 40 Gay Street, Bath, BA1 2NT
Phone Number: 01225 443000
7. Bath Tea House
Chuck out the chintz and head to Comins Tea, where the decor is all clean lines and trendy spaces. The fine tea merchants specialize in tea education (tea school, anyone?) and exquisite teas, so this is the place to go for fancy brews.
Pair a cuppa with freshly baked blueberry scones or look out for the Japanese inspired afternoon tea that includes gyoza dumplings, cakes, and (of course) very fine teas.
Booking Information
Address: 34 Monmouth Street, Bath, BA1 2AN
Phone Number: 01258 475389
8. The Ivy Bath Brasserie
Sister restaurant to the original Soho celebrity hangout, The Ivy Bath Brasserie’s interior is all high ceilings and Art Deco details.
Head there between 3-5pm to indulge in a cream tea, add some bubbles with a champagne cream tea, or tuck into a full afternoon tea with seasonally inspired treats like chicken and truffle mayonnaise brioche roll.
It’s perfectly located in Milsom Place, allowing you to visit some independent shops and restaurants before or after your tea.
It’s one of the best places for afternoon tea in Bath if you have a big group.
Booking Information
Address: 39 Milsom Street, Bath, BA1 1DS
9. The Dower House Restaurant
Go all out and spend the day at the Royal Crescent Hotel’s Spa before tucking into an al fresco afternoon tea in the summer, or head to the Dower House Restaurant for dainty sandwiches, classic flavours, beautifully presented cakes, and a wide range of fine teas.
Top tip – it might not look like much at first but they keep bringing you sandwiches and tea refills, so you’ll leave full, from experience, we just kept asking and that’s exactly what they wanted us to do.
The more you ask, the more you get. That’s the best king of afternoon tea!
Booking Information
Address: 16 Royal Crescent, Bath, BA1 2LS
Phone Number: 01225 823333
10. Plate at The Bird
Munch on a more modern take on afternoon tea at Plate, where you can cosy up in an outside Dining Dome (very Instagrammable!) or indoors to enjoy classic sandwiches like smoked salmon and chive cream, sweet treats like hazelnut praline profiteroles, and scones with housemade jam and local clotted cream.
Look out for the birdcage style serving platters! Add some fizz with a champagne afternoon tea option or go for ‘G and tea’ to add a cheeky gin and tonic to your afternoon tea. Available daily 3-4.30pm.
The Bird was also classed as one of our best hotels in Bath, so it could make a nice place to rest should you be in Bath for the weekend!
It’s one of the best places for afternoon tea in Bath if you don’t mind a 5 – 10 minute walk outside of the city centre.
Booking Information
Address: 18-19 Pulteney Road, Bath, BA2 4EZ
Phone Number: 01225 580438
11. Cafe Rouge
While there are numerous traditional teas to be had in Bath, sometimes a more budget-friendly option is needed, especially if you have little fussy eaters in tow.
Cafe Rouge is an easy way to tuck into a tower of treats without making a big dent in your wallet. French-influenced afternoon teas include classics like mini pate and camembert baguettes, teeny creme brulees, and chocolate and lemon desserts.
Tres bien!
Booking Information
Address: 15 Milson Street , Bath , BA1 1DE
Phone Number: 01225 982905
Looking for a lighter lunch? Try one of these 10 best coffee shops in Bath for a quick coffee or bite to eat.
Amy is an award-winning travel writer born and bred in Bath. She has written for national newspapers and magazines from the Guardian and Mail on Sunday to Conde Nast Traveller and Good Housekeeping. Now she’s helping travellers explore Bath, one story at a time.
